Thank you for printing the Nov. 7 article “Tiffany Park residents challenge school board at hearing.” Local coverage like this makes the Renton Reporter a great newspaper in service of the community.

The 20 acres of woods are a natural jewel. Their destruction will be a big loss to the city. If other people in the Renton area knew about the woods, they would visit to enjoy the peace and tranquility. Of course, people need places to live, and there are economic benefits to the city from development. But this is the wrong place to develop, the costs outweigh the benefit.

The unique beauty of the woods is apparently no factor in the bureaucratic decision. The city and school district have their “process,” and that’s it. However, the school district acknowledges they failed to post the notice for a past meeting, my understanding is in 2012. So they need to restart the process at the point before they slipped up.

Our neighborhood is really nice. But this will destroy about the best thing we have, for a short-term financial gain they will most likely squander. We get no consideration in return.  We are already plagued with speeding and cut-through traffic on steep Southeast 16th, which we have repeatedly complained about. Assuming TPW is developed, this will be worsened, especially during construction. Other neighborhoods (Renton Hill) can have a street totally blocked off (Beacon Way South) because city leaders live there. In contrast, the city refuses to consider helping us with traffic calming measures.

Concerning the city planners, at least they have had the honesty to state (in a public meeting) the ugly truth that they consider this a done deal, and that our citizen input will have little or no effect. But in essence, they are saying “We know better. Just pay your taxes. Don’t bother us.”

Maybe 30 years in the future, there might really be a GOOD alternative use for the woods. Why the rush for a short-term payoff? Why not give the city some future flexibility? The city has been handed a golden opportunity. Why not take a little time, instead of the headlong rush? School Board, Mr. Mayor, City Council, and city staff, please retain something wonderful by preserving this unique natural reserve.

Daniel Goldman,
Renton